Decamore

Chapter 3 - Silver

Henry, was a breathe of fresh air, like a big bear in everyway. He nearly bumped and knocked into things when he walked, his tall and broad frame barely fit round things. Even his voice was gruff but comforting when he offered to show me around, and most importantly, get me a bed to sleep in.

A proper bed to sleep in would be a relief, after being questioned mercilessly by Gage and Oleander, about what part of town I came from, whether I'd been to the abandoned buildings before, If I knew why the nights were freezing cold, but the days just seem to get hotter and hotter. Most of the questions I didn't understand, or just had answers that no one would understand. But this brotherly guy saved me from being overwhelmed when he interuppted with the idea that I might need a rest.

"So, Siren." He chuckled, "What do you think of everyone, hmm? I think Gage likes you, he's usually a bit harsh to new people. Of course Nina likes you, but she's just a little shy, and as for the twins . . .  Well I'm sure once they hang around you enough they'll like you alot too!"

I smiled at his enthusiasm, "I think I'll like all of you very soon. It's Oleander I'm not sure about will see eye to eye with me."

"Don't worry about Oleander, she'll like you too I'm sure of it. Just give her time."

I figured since I got him talking, I could ask the question that's been gnawing at my mind. "Henry . . . How old is Nina? She looks too young to be out here."

The look on his face made me cringe, you could see all the shame he had hidden. Looking into Henrys' eyes was like looking into Dads' again. 

"Henry, I'm sorry if I-"

"She's only seven."

I couldn't bring myself to ask another question and he didn't say another word, until we reached a room with a two beds, a large couch, and an end table.

"Thank you."

He nodded and began walking out, then something in him clicked.

"Siren, how did you end up out here in this wasteland? Why did you leave the city?"

Why. Why would he ask. Has it really only been a day since Dad. . . Offed himself? 

I think Henry saw my brow furrow, because he closed the door and sat down next to me.

"Please, tell me?"

"Well . . . I've lived with my dad since I was five, and yesterday . . . I don't know. I guess something just snapped. So he shot himself."

Only when Henry grabbed my hands did I realize I was shaking, "But why come here? Don't most the people who have no family stay there and beg? Where they know it's safer?"

"Nothing compelled me to come here, and I don't know what's going on. But the cops are rounding orphans up and taking them away because they've been dying from the cold nights, and I don't know where they're going. I feel afraid of it. So I ran as far as I could, and I ended up here."

Something in Henry seemed to peice it together, He stood up abruptly and had a determined look.

"I see, well you've been shown your bed, I won't tell anyone anything until tommorow so I can think about this. Goodnight."

The slam of the door kept me from saying anything else.

What did he connect that I can't? He seemed to know what it all might mean. And why is he going to tell the others? My mind was spinning, I couldn't sleep now.

A quick knock at the door made me jump. 

"Umm . . . Come in?"

The door gently swung open to reveal Oleander, holding what seemed to be clothes and a big duffel bag . Her face was alot less angry looking and was actually kinda pretty when it wasn't creased and frowning.

"I don't mean to barge in like this, but I figured you would want something to change into."

She handed me a loose black t shirt and a pair of baggy black and grey polka-dot sweats. There was something familiar about them, and the fabric made me think of my home.

"These are mine!" I looked at her suspiciously, "How did you get these?"

"Same way we get everything here. We run into town and take it." Something in her eyes flashed and she seemed a little uncomfortable, "We all kinda know about your dad too . . . I swear, you ask the people in that town anything and they'd be happy to give their opinion about it."

My eyes dropped to the floor. I wish they would stop bringing Dad up. It was hard enough, but with all of them talking about it is going to make the recovery so much harder.

"I also bothered to grab some of your other clothes and belongings. Gage doesn't really think about the importance of that. He's more of a 'get the food and anything we can use' which is important I guess but . . ."

She laughed, but it sounded hollow, "I'm rambling. You need to sleep, so I'll just leave you alone."

Something in me didn't want her to go. She seemed tottaly different when she wasn't around the others. But then the part of me that was simply exhausted said that this wouldn't be the last time we would talk to her. So I kept my mouth shut.

"Oh and Siren? I'm so sorry about your dad."

The door clicked shut and I stared at it silently for a moment.

I was thankful, more than I could say.

They gave me a bed, they ran into the city and bothered to get some of my things, and when alone at least they all seemed to be gentle and hospitable with me. 

I turned my attention back to the pajamas that smelled like dads spiced pumpkin pies, vanilla, and his thick cigarette smoke. It smelled of home.Once I put them on I felt safe, and like everything would be a-okay.

 I snuggled into the warm blankets and my head sunk into the pillow, maybe everything will be okay. Maybe I can stay here in peace and help everyone in return for a warm place to be with these people. But it's all to much to think of tonight.

My eyes fell shut and I felt myself slide down the the black chute that led to a deep sleep. My last thought was of Dad.

I remember falling asleep, but not waking up. So I knew this was a dream. That, and the fact that Iwas looking down at myself in a hospital bed surrounded by a few doctors. 

A woman doctor seemed to notice my dream selfs discomfort, and said in a thick french accent, "Don't worry, the pain will dull after a while. You did well for the first test, Hard to believe a simple slip that caused you to hit your head brought you down." 

First test? What was she talking about? 

She grabbed a clipboard off the desk and turned to the other doctors with a disturbing grin, "She'll make quite a challange for the other subjects."